Kalispell Land Use Plan

Kalispell Land Use Plan – “PLAN-IT 2045” - In the 2023 legislative session, the Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 382, which created the new Montana Land Use Planning Act. Under the Act, for cities such as Kalispell, the current growth policy, subdivision regulations, and zoning regulations are largely replaced with a new land use planning paradigm. The concept is that a land use plan is established with extensive public input. The plan then becomes a guiding document for land use decisions, many of which, such as subdivisions, become administrative rather than conducted through a public hearing process. The opportunity for the public to be engaged comes generally with the process establishing the plan and regulations, not with review of a site-specific project.

The land use plan identifies issues, goals, policies, and recommendations, along with supporting information, relating to a broad range of land use issues, such as housing, local services and facilities, economic development, natural resources, and the environment. It also includes a land use map identifying the type of zoning and development anticipated in an area as well as an implementation plan relating to items such as zoning and subdivision updates, housing strategies, infrastructure, and capital improvements.

After a series of work sessions with the Planning Commission over the last year, meetings with stakeholder groups, and public outreach events, the Commission is holding this formal public hearing to take comment on the plan. The Commission’s recommendation will then be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration.